SOLUTION: Hi there. My name is Dally and was wondering if someone can help me with a word problem. They have always been tricky for me. "A house is built on ground which is sinking by 3/

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: Hi there. My name is Dally and was wondering if someone can help me with a word problem. They have always been tricky for me. "A house is built on ground which is sinking by 3/      Log On

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Question 987258: Hi there. My name is Dally and was wondering if someone can help me with a word problem. They have always been tricky for me.
"A house is built on ground which is sinking by 3/4 of an inch per year. How many years will it take to sink 2 1/2 inches."
I have the answer in the back as 3 1/3 years but can't figure out how the equation even starts.
Please help
Thank you
Dally
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, rothauserc:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39614) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a very uncomplicated travel rates problem.

r, sinking rate
t, time sinking
d, distance sank
-
rt=d
-
You are given system%28r=%283%2F4%29%2A%28inch%2Fyear%29%2Ct=unknownYears%2Cd=%282%261%2F2%29inches%29.

Answer by rothauserc(4718) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2 (1/2) = (5/2)
we want to divide (5/2) by (3/4), therefore
(5/2) / (3/4)
we invert the denominator then multiply by the numerator
(5/2) * (4/3) = 20/6 = 10/3 = 3 (1/3), therefore
It takes 3 (1/3) years to sink 2 1/2 inches